District Office (Slack Center)
Wednesday, July 8
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the minutes for the June 10, 2026 Regular Board of Education Meeting and June 25, 2026 Special Board of Education Meeting as presented.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the June 2026 Financial Statements as presented.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Messmer:
Thacker:
Belcher:
Baldwin:
Clark:
WHEREAS, as a public board of education may hold an executive session only after a majority of a quorum of this board determines by a roll call vote to hold such a session and only at a regular or special meeting for the sole purpose of the consideration of any of the following matters:
A. Consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.
B. Investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or student unless such employee, official, licensee, or student requests a public meeting; except that consideration of the discipline of a Board member for conduct related to the performance of their duties or their removal from office shall not be held in executive session.
C. Consideration of the purchase of property for public purposes, or sale or other disposition of unneeded, obsolete, unfit-for-useproperty at competitive bidding, if premature disclosure of information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to a person whose personal, private interest is adverse to the general public interest.
D. Discussion with the Board's legal counsel of disputes involving the Board that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.
E. Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of employment.
F. Matters required to be confidential by Federal law or regulations or State statutes.
G. Specialized details of security arrangements and emergency response protocols where disclosure might reveal information that could jeopardize the District's security.
H. Consideration of confidential information related to the marketing plans, specific business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets, or personal financial statements of an applicant for economic development assistance, or to negotiations with other political subdivisions respecting requests for economic development assistance, provided that both of the following conditions apply:
1. The information is directly related to a request for economic development assistance that is to be provided or administered under one of the statutes referenced in R.C. 121.22(G)(8)(1), or that involves public infrastructure improvements or the extension of utility services that are directly related to an economic development project, and
2. An unanimous quorum of the Board or its subcommittee determines, by a roll call vote, that the executive session is necessary to protect the interests of the applicant or the possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with the economic development project.
Therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Highland Local Board of Education, by a majority of the quorum present at this meeting, does hereby declare its intention to hold an executive session on item(s) as listed above.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
In order for the Board to fulfill its obligation to complete the planned agenda in an effective and efficient manner, a maximum of 30 minutes of public participation may be permitted at each meeting.
Each person addressing the Board shall give his/her name. If several people wish to speak, each person is allotted three minutes until the total time of 30 minutes has elapsed. During that period, no person may speak twice until all who desire to speak have had the opportunity. Persons desiring more time should follow procedure of the Board to be placed on the regular agenda. The period of public participation may be extended by a vote of the majority of the Board present and voting.
Resolution to approve the following resignations
Drew Mitchell MS Football Coach
Kay Penix HS Spanish Teacher (Effective end of the contract year)
Caitlin Nelson HS Science (Effective end of the contract year)
Steven Stooksbury Intervention Specialist (Effective end of the contract year)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the correction of a resignation date.
Michelle Hudson HS Math (proper resignation of end of contract year as opposed to end of school year; clerical error)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following certified personnel by one year contract.
Tara Kress ES Intervention Specialist (Step 8)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following classified contracts for one year.
Samantha Lloyd Paraprofessional 1 (Step 0)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following continuing certified contract
Kipp Nelson
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve extended service days for the following personnel paid at their hourly rate.
Blair Weisent (Up to 3 days per week for July and August, 2026)
Diana Chase OBI (On Board Instructor for new bus drivers; Effective 6/16/2026)
Toni Stepp Extended School Year Service to Bucyrus (Effective 6/8/2026)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following supplemental contracts
Suzie Byler Assistant HS Cross Country (2 Years)
Cadie Long HS Volleyball Assistant Volunteer
Brooke Ratliff HS Assistant Girls Soccer (1 Year Split 1/2 Contract) (Correction From May Agenda With Whole Contract)
Emma Hinkle HS Assistant Girls Soccer (0 Years Split 1/2 Contract)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following classified substitutes for the 2026-2027 school year.
Stephanie Lehman Custodian (Including summer break)
Denise Stillwell Administrative Assistant (Effective 9/1/26)
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following administrative salaries
Chad Carpenter
Shawn Winkelfoos
Ty Stover
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the following student handbooks.
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the school resource officer agreement for the 2026-2027 school year.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the Mid Ohio ESC Estimate for services during FY27.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the trade in of the John Deere Bat Wing 1600 commercial mower toward the purchase of two Z960M ZTrak 72 inch deck mowers and further approving the Superintendent and Treasurer to sign any documents needed to effectuate the purchase.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the purchase of two (2) IC Corp CESB Stock Unit Cummins ISB Engine 72 passenger buses from Rush Truck Centers through the META Solutions stock bus bid contract which includes warranty and REI camera installation (previously approved bus purchase from resolution #26-02-047 will not be ready for the start of the school year and won't be purchased).
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the transfer of remaining unspent funds from the class of 2026 to the class of 2027.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the agreement with the Auditor of State's LGS Division for financial statement compilation services related to fiscal year 2026.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to approve the Traveler's crime insurance policy.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
WHEREAS, as a public board of education may hold an executive session only after a majority of a quorum of this board determines by a roll call vote to hold such a session and only at a regular or special meeting for the sole purpose of the consideration of any of the following matters:
A. Consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.
B. Investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or student unless such employee, official, licensee, or student requests a public meeting; except that consideration of the discipline of a Board member for conduct related to the performance of their duties or their removal from office shall not be held in executive session.
C. Consideration of the purchase of property for public purposes, or sale or other disposition of unneeded, obsolete, unfit-for-useproperty at competitive bidding, if premature disclosure of information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to a person whose personal, private interest is adverse to the general public interest.
D. Discussion with the Board's legal counsel of disputes involving the Board that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.
E. Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of employment.
F. Matters required to be confidential by Federal law or regulations or State statutes.
G. Specialized details of security arrangements and emergency response protocols where disclosure might reveal information that could jeopardize the District's security.
H. Consideration of confidential information related to the marketing plans, specific business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets, or personal financial statements of an applicant for economic development assistance, or to negotiations with other political subdivisions respecting requests for economic development assistance, provided that both of the following conditions apply:
1. The information is directly related to a request for economic development assistance that is to be provided or administered under one of the statutes referenced in R.C. 121.22(G)(8)(1), or that involves public infrastructure improvements or the extension of utility services that are directly related to an economic development project, and
2. An unanimous quorum of the Board or its subcommittee determines, by a roll call vote, that the executive session is necessary to protect the interests of the applicant or the possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with the economic development project.
Therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Highland Local Board of Education, by a majority of the quorum present at this meeting, does hereby declare its intention to hold an executive session on item(s) as listed above.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer
Resolution to adjourn this meeting and schedule the next meeting of the Highland Local School District Board of Education to be held Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Slack Center Board Office.
Roll Call: Lynn Baldwin Kathy Belcher Nate Clark Eric Thacker John Messmer